14 DAY TRIAL // “Spartacus” star Andy Whitfield learned he had cancer just as he finished shooting for season 1 of the Starz series. 18 months later, he died, aged 39. Wife Vashti Whitfield and director Lilibet Foster are now trying to bring his story into the spotlight.
Called “Be Here Now,” it's a documentary that's currently in need of funding from fans in order to be completed and released onto the festival circuit.
To raise awareness on the campaign, both Vashti and Foster are talking to People in a new interview, telling fans that what they should expect from the documentary is not a sad film but rather an inspiration, an extremely touching one.
Shooting for the documentary stopped 2 weeks before Andy's passing in September 2011, with the tragic event being recounted on camera by the mourning Vashti.
Even so, Foster points out, fans should take from the experience a lesson in hope against all odds and never-ending love.
“It's not going to be a sad movie. It's going to be a very beautiful, inspiring and uplifting film, not the least of which is an amazing love story between him and his wife,” Foster explains.
Sam Maydew, producer, agrees: Andy wanted to make this documentary to bring hope to those who thought they had nothing, because he believed his plight might help others.
“Andy never wavered, not once, even though the treatment was really hard and some of the experiences were really tough,” Maydew points out.
“He was so committed to this and knew that no matter how it turned out, that this was going to be helpful to other people and inspiring to other people. That in turn inspired him,” adds the producer.
Vashti says Andy's fight against cancer should not be another wasted opportunity, but a lesson for anyone who sees “Be Here Now.”
“In my heart, I am convinced that this is all meant to be. And I'm open to the journey and to the discoveries and to the adventure of all of this. 'Be here now' is all about being present and not fearing what you don't know,” Andy says in one scene from the film.
“Be Here Now” has managed to raise the $200,000 (€160,282) minimum needed, but fans can still donate if they want to support the project.
Below is the extended trailer.
